The global economy and even politics are increasingly affected by climate change. In this context, Swiss Re is keen on carrying out research into the changing contexts of natural disasters and the development of relevant financial solutions that aim to reduce, or even eliminate, the negative impacts of these disasters on livelihoods, theeconomy and politics. It aims to do so by providing those affected, such as individuals, businesses and all levels of government, with relevant scientific and institutionalised disaster-prevention and disaster-relief mechanisms.

Agriculture employs one in three people in Sri Lanka and contributesover ten percent to export income. This important sector of the economy relies on rain – a resource that will become increasingly unpredictable with global warming. Protecting farmers against future floods and droughts is paramount to keep employment and income from this economic pillar growing.

The impact of extreme weather is painful and expensive. This is because the world population and asset concentrations are increasing, especially in the cities of the developing world, many of which lie either on the coast or on major waterways close to it. Bangkok is one case in point. The latest edition in Swiss Re's Risky cities series examines the risks.

Vietnam is one of the important high growth economies in Asia, but the country's major cities are prone to flooding due to being located on the coast or on flood plains. This publication examines these issues and offers solutions.

Could a small aftershock in a city not considered an earthquake hotspot trigger one of the largest insurance losses ever? Absolutely, because this is exactly what happened when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand, on 22 February 2011.